From Travis to Today: An Analysis Of Racial Progress in the Us Air Force Officer Corps Since 1971
Abstract
The US population is expected to become `majority-minority' over the next few decades. This "tanning of America" highlights the urgent need for more diversity amongst its officer corps. This paper calls attention to this trend in much the same manner as those who attempted to bring awareness of the growing cultural bias and discrimination that fed discontent in the ranks and resulted in the racial violence that erupted throughout the US military during the late 1960s and early-1970s. At that time, the Armed Services' leaders were largely unaware and unconcerned with the issues of their growing Black enlisted populations but were eventually shocked into action when this disgruntlement turned into protest. A similar, but perhaps more profound cultural shift may occur within the US Air Force as it is expected that its newest enlistees in just over the next decade will be `majority-minority. Yet, as was the case over 40 years ago, the Air Force is not developing its officer corps to be representative of the wider society. Moreover, those within its ranks are unaware of the necessity for cross-cultural mentorship so they might comfortably foster professional relationships to both develop and recognize the concerns issues of the more diverse Americans they will lead. Consequently, this trend of an increasingly culturally isolated officer corps foretells of two serious risks facing the Air Force in the next decade-daunting officer recruiting and retention challenges and potential conflicts between majority White senior officers and `majority-minority' junior officers/enlisted members. This research suggests a major limiting factor to enabling improved diversity of the US Air Force officer corps is the inconsistent and delayed mentorship that many Black (and other minority) officers receive.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA538863
Entities
People
- Aabram G. Marsh
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College